The European Union is moving closer to a decision on whether to end seasonal clock changes. Find out where the reform stands, when the final time changes could happen, and how the new rules will affect the lives of millions of Europeans

Order an insurance policy for safe travel to any part of the world

Buy

The issue of abolishing seasonal clock changes in Europe is back on the agenda of the European institutions. After years of debate and numerous consultations with citizens, the European Union is approaching the next stage of the reform that could put an end to the practice of changing between summer and winter time.

Although a final decision has not yet been made, the process has received new impetus in 2026. If the necessary studies and agreements are completed in time, Europeans could change their clocks for the last time in the coming years.

Travelling, working, studying or moving abroad always brings new opportunities, but also unforeseen situations. Health insurance helps you get the help you need in the event of illness, injury or other emergency while you are outside your country of residence. In addition, the policy allows you to avoid significant financial costs for treatment, which can be very expensive for foreigners in many countries.

Take out reliable health insurance in advance and travel the world with confidence.

Why is the issue of changing clocks still relevant?

The practice of seasonal time change has been in effect in many European countries for over a century. It was initially introduced to make more efficient use of daylight and save energy.

However, with the development of modern technologies and changes in the lifestyle of citizens, more and more experts are questioning the feasibility of this approach. Studies in recent years show that the economic effect of changing clocks has significantly decreased, while the impact on people's well-being remains a subject of active debate.

Many Europeans report temporary sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and decreased work capacity after the time change. These factors have become one of the key arguments in favor of the reform.

Visit World services for tourists, migrants, and expats: Insurance | Guides | Legal advice

At what stage is the reform in 2026?

According to available information, the European Commission continues to prepare a comprehensive analysis of the future of seasonal time change in EU countries. The document should assess the economic, social, medical and technical consequences of a possible transition to a constant time.

It is expected that the results of the study will become the basis for further political decisions and coordination between member states.

One of the main reasons for the delay in the reform in recent years has been the lack of a single position on which time should remain constant:

- Summer time;

- Winter (standard) time.

In which countries the population pays the most for electricity, why tariffs differ significantly and how the development of green energy affects prices, we tell in this article.

European Union countries should coordinate their own approaches and take into account the peculiarities of transport, international trade, energy systems and cross-border communications.

Most Europeans support the abolition of clock changes

One of the most important arguments in favor of the reform remains the results of large-scale public consultations held in the European Union.

About 4.6 million EU citizens took part in the vote, making it one of the largest surveys in the history of the European institutions.

The results showed a clear trend:

- About 84% of participants supported the abolition of seasonal time changes;

- A significant part of the respondents believes that constant time will have a positive impact on the quality of life;

- Many citizens associate the change of clocks with sleep disruption and reduced productivity.

Despite the high support of the population, the final decision requires agreement between all EU member states.

Italy is refunding drivers for congestion on toll roads in 2026, details here.

When will the clocks be changed for the last time in Europe?

There is no specific date yet, but experts are considering several possible scenarios for the development of events.

Optimistic scenario

If the necessary approvals and technical preparations are completed quickly, the last change to summer time could take place in the spring of 2027.

Baseline scenario

The option is currently considered more realistic, in which the final abandonment of the clock change will take place during 2027-2028, after all coordination procedures between states have been completed.

At the same time, official dates have not yet been approved, so the current system of seasonal time changes continues to operate.

EU residence documents in Poland expire on August 3, 2026, who will be affected by the changes.

What challenges will arise after the abolition of the time change?

The transition to permanent time will require large-scale technical preparations throughout Europe.

Changes may affect:

- transport systems;

- aviation;

- banking infrastructure;

- telecommunications networks;

- digital platforms;

- software;

- automated control systems.

That is why European authorities emphasize the need for a gradual and coordinated transition.

Is a compromise possible?

During the discussions, experts also put forward alternative proposals. In particular, the option of partial time adjustment with a difference of not one hour, but 30 minutes was considered.

However, this idea did not receive wide support among member states and relevant institutions. Currently, the main scenario remains the complete abolition of seasonal clock changes with the transition to permanent summer or winter time.

How will the abolition of clock changes affect the lives of Europeans?

If the reform is implemented, Europeans will no longer have to change the time on their devices twice a year and adapt to the new regime.

Potential benefits include:

- more stable sleep patterns;

- reduced stress from seasonal adaptation;

- improved organization of international transportation;

- simplified operation of digital services;

- increased comfort in everyday life.

Although the final decision is still ahead, 2026 could become one of the key stages in reforming the timekeeping system in Europe. If EU countries reach the necessary consensus, Europeans could finally say goodbye to the practice of seasonal clock changes in the coming years.

When planning a long stay abroad, it is important to take care not only of documents and itinerary, but also of your own safety. Health insurance provides access to quality medical care in the event of illness, accident or other emergency. Depending on the terms of the policy, coverage may include doctor consultations, hospitalization, emergency treatment and medical evacuation. The insurance policy is especially relevant for expats, students, digital nomads and employees who live abroad for a long time. Having insurance allows you to focus on work, study or travel without worrying about unforeseen medical expenses.

Choose health insurance that meets your needs and ensure reliable protection in any country in the world.

Reminder! Obtaining a Schengen visa in 2026 remains an important stage in preparing for a trip to Europe. We have already told you which Schengen countries have the highest rate of visa refusals, why applicants receive negative decisions and how to prepare documents to increase the chances of approval.

Photo - generated by Gemini

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents for Finland;

Legal advice on immigration to Finland;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Finland;

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.